The Travel Chica

Live Simple. Consume Less. Experience More.

Being a Nerd in Buenos Aires

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I recently attended the Feria Internacional del Libro in Buenos Aires.

I know what you are thinking.  In a city like Buenos Aires where there are 100 things to do on any given night, why would I attend a book fair?  When I am traveling, I like to check out what the locals are doing. The book fair had a lot of publicity, and it was being held in the massive venue called La Rural in Palermo.  Then I realized it was scheduled to last for 20 days.

Yes, you read that correctly – 20 days!

How could a book fair attract enough people for 20 days?  Well, I still do not know the answer to that question.  I just know that Buenos Aires can do it.  People waited in massive lines to buy tickets for this event.  At 2pm every day for 20 days, you could see a line of people stretching down Santa Fe from Thames all the way to Santa Maria de Oro.

That is about 350 meters…. for a Book Fair!  this had to be good.

The final selling point… It was free for everyone the first Saturday of the event.  So I had my $1 empanada at Kentucky Pizza and then walked across the street to La Rural.

Photos of outside of Feria del Libro
The event is held at La Rural

Buenos Aires:  World Book Capital 2011

This title is bestowed by UNESCO to a city in recognition of the quality of its programs to promote books and reading.  Buenos Aires is the chosen city for 2011. This is no surprise to me.  You cannot walk a block without encountering a libreria (aka book store) here. Porteños love to read. If you ask any Porteño what book they are currently reading, you will rarely meet someone that doesn’t have an answer.  When I walk through parks, take public transport, or go to a cafe, the majority of the people I see are reading.  Publishing companies even buy billboard space to advertise the latest releases similar to how we promote movies in the US.

Photo of sign
Fun art

My First International Book Fair

I was immediately impressed with the scale of this event.  I assumed there would be a few booths set up selling books.  There were actually hundreds of large booths set up throughout the entire venue.

Photos of Salta booth at Book Fair
Salta represents!
Photo of large display
I love large replicas of books!

In addition to just selling books, there were scheduled events and activities.  These events included large lectures from renowned authors, book signings, traditional dancing, children’s activities, readings, open mic poetry, panel discussions, and career education.

Photo of traditional dancing
The couple on the right is not part of "the show." They just decided to join in.

Photos of children reading

Both times I went to the event, I simply walked around for a couple of hours browsing the booths and people watching.  I was not exactly in the market to buy a book, but it didn’t matter.  I had a great time just being present at this event.

Photo of walking corridor
Corridor to walk between the different buildings
even lady gaga was there

something for the comic fans
Photo of comic booth
They even had a booth for comics
the Gringos were represented
Photo of US Embassy booth
Even the US Embassy had a booth
This is my favorite book cover
Photo of funny book
My favorite book at the event
what Buenos Aires event could be complete without some delicious snacks

Photo of cheese on a stick
And of course, there was good food. Cheese on a stick dipped in spices.

The next time you’re in a new city, keep your eyes open for events that are popular with the locals.  You may be pleasantly surprised.   Or maybe I’m just a nerd.

Comments

  10. Good idea climaxing with the cheese. They don’t mess around do they? A big slab of cheese on a stick…
    robin recently posted..Cielo

    • Portenos do not mess around when it comes to food. Twice now at the end of my running class, we had cake and coffee to celebrate birthdays. So much for those calories we just burned. I secretly hope it’s somebody’s birthday every class :-)
      The Travel Chica recently posted..Being a Nerd in Buenos Aires

  13. Ooh, love books. And love BsAs.

    Are you familiar with the International Organisation of Book Towns, btw? Little towns and villages (usually gorgeous little villages) in different countries with a large concentration of antiquarian and second-hand books. Hay-on-Wye in Wales is one: books and book shelves everywhere, even lining the walls of the medieval castle. Just take a book and put the money in a tin. It’s wonderful!

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